Top mounting for a container for a volatile liquid dispenser

ABSTRACT

A container for a volatile liquid in a liquid dispensing device comprises a body and a retention structure. The retention structure is mounted to a top portion of the container. A capillary member may extend from inside the container to an exterior of the container. In certain embodiments, the volatile liquid migrates along the capillary member to the exterior of the container where it is evaporated from the surface of the capillary member by forced airflow generated by a motorized fan mounted in the housing.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to emanation systems for volatileliquids and, more particularly, to a container for a volatile liquid ina liquid dispensing device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing insertion of the container ofthe present invention into a housing of a dispensing device;

[0003]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 includingan embodiment of the retention structure of the present invention;

[0004]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the retentionstructure of FIG. 2;

[0005]FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the container and the retentionstructure of FIG. 2;

[0006]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2 inwhich a portion of the housing is engaging the top portion of theretention structure;

[0007]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of theretention structure of FIG. 2;

[0008]FIGS. 7 and 8 are schematic views of the retention structureengaging the housing; and

[0009]FIG. 9 is the cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 in which a portion ofthe housing is engaging a lower portion of the retention structure ofFIG. 5; and

[0010]FIG. 10 is a partial cut away view of the housing as seen in FIG.1.

DETAILED DECSRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Referring to FIG. 1, container 20 of the present invention is tobe releasably secured to a housing 100 of a unit for dispensing avolatile liquid, such as a fragrance compound. Container 20 serves as areservoir for the volatile liquid. A capillary member 74 is positionedin an opening of container 20. A portion of capillary member 74 extendsinto an interior of container 20 to contact the volatile liquid. Anotherportion of capillary member 74 extends outside container 20. Whencontainer 20 is secured in housing 100, a portion of container 20 andthe portion of capillary member 74 extending outside the containerreside in an interior of housing 100. Under these circumstances, thevolatile liquid migrates along capillary member 74 from the reservoir tothe exterior of container 100 where it is evaporated from an exteriorsurface of capillary member 74 by forced airflow generated by amotorized fan mounted in housing 100. In this embodiment, container 20is secured in a position onto housing 100 such that the portion ofcapillary member 74 in the interior of housing 100 resides in the forcedair stream generated by the fan.

[0012] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 10, container 20 is designed to bereleasably mounted, via a retention structure 26, in an opening 200 ofhousing 100 of the fragrance dispensing unit. In these embodiments,container 20 includes a body 22 having a top portion 24. A neck 42extends from top portion 24 to define an opening 44 into an interior ofcontainer 20. The retention structure, generally designated 26, ismounted on top portion 24 of container 20.

[0013] Various other embodiments of the retention structure will now bedescribed. As stated above, retention structure 26 releasably engages ahousing of a volatile dispenser to secure the container 20 to housing100. Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 7, a first embodiment of retentionstructure 26 includes one or more latching members 28 which engagecomplementary latch-receiving features, such as edges or shoulders 68,on respective opposing sides of housing opening 200, as seen in FIG. 10.Each latching member 28 has an entry portion 32 and a hook portion 34.Both entry portion 32 and hook portion 34 of each latching member 28have surfaces generally inclined with respect to an axis of insertion“A” of the container into housing 100, as seen in FIG. 7, for moreeasily establishing sliding contact with the complementary surfaces ofthe housing. As seen in FIG. 3 in this embodiment, latching members 28are formed on a bracket 40 fabricated as a component separate fromcontainer top portion 24.

[0014] Alternatives to latching members 28 may be incorporated intoretention structure 26. For example, retention structure 26 may includea latch-receiving member (not shown) for positively engaging acomplementary projection, such as a tab or a latch, formed on housing100. In the embodiments of the retention structure described above,latching members 28 and/or the portions of housing 100 that engage thelatching members may resiliently deflect during mounting of container 20onto housing 100.

[0015] Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, retention structure 26 may alsoinclude one or more detent members 38 incorporated into bracket 40 toform an enclosure that encloses container neck 42 therein. In oneembodiment, detent members 38 are cantilevered, having a base end 46 anda free end 48. Detent members 38 are also formed so as to projectslightly outward, in a direction away from neck 42 as shown. Aprojection 50 is formed in free end 48 of each detent member 38 and arecess 52 is formed in a wall of neck 42 opposite each of projections 50for receiving a corresponding one of projections therein, in a manner tobe described later.

[0016] As stated above, the retention structure of the present inventionmay be formed on a component separate from top portion 24. In thepreviously described first embodiment, the separate component was asingle piece in the form of a bracket 40. Bracket 40 may be fabricatedusing a method, such as molding or stamping and forming, which enableselements of the retention structure to be formed integral with thebracket. Depending on where bracket 40 is to be positioned on housingtop portion 24, an opening 54 (FIG. 3) may be formed in bracket 40 forreceiving therethrough a portion of capillary member 74 (FIG. 1)extending into container 20. Referring to FIG. 6, in another embodiment,elements of the retention structure may be formed on multiple separatecomponents 58, each component 58 being individually mountable to housingtop portion 24. For example, a latching member 28 as previouslydescribed may be formed on each of separate pieces 58. Each separatepiece 58 may then be secured to container top portion 24.

[0017] Retention structure 26 may be fabricated using a method, such asmolding or stamping and forming, which enables elements of the retentionstructure to be formed integral with top portion 24. For example, topportion 24 may be a molded plastic component in which elements of theretention structure (e.g., latches, detent members, etc.) may beintegrally molded therein. Alternatively, top portion 24 may be a sheetmetal component on which elements of the retention are formed throughcutting and bending.

[0018] Separate component or components including the retentionstructure may be detachably mounted to top portion 24 using one of avariety of known methods, such as a latching system or a snap fit. As anexample, referring to FIG. 4, a bracket 40 as described above may bemounted to a supporting structure 60 formed in the top portion of thecontainer. Supporting structure 60 aids in positioning and securingbracket 40 on container top portion 24. In this embodiment, supportingstructure 60 includes neck 42 and a pair of tabs 62 formed in containertop portion 24. The structure of bracket 40 defines an enclosure forreceiving neck 42 therein when bracket 40 is mounted on container topportion 24. A pair of slots (not shown) is also formed in bracket 40 forreceiving tabs 62 therein during mounting of bracket 40 to top portion24.

[0019] In alternative embodiments, separate component or componentsincorporating the retention structure may be permanently secured tocontainer top portion 24 using one of a variety of known methods, suchas adhesive attachment, ultrasonic welding, an interference fit with acomplementary feature formed on the container top portion, etc.

[0020] Releasable mounting of container 20 to housing 100 will now bediscussed. Referring to FIGS. 7, 8 and 10, when it is desired to mountcontainer 20 onto housing 100, retention structure 26 is received inhousing opening 200 wherein elements of the retention structure engagecomplementary features located on housing 100 to secure container 20 tothe housing 100. Specifically, in the first embodiment of the retentionstructure described above, latching member entry portions 32 engagecomplementary shoulders 68 on opposing sides of housing opening 200,causing latching members 28 to deflect inwards until latching memberentry portions 32 pass housing shoulders 68, whereupon latching members28 snap back to a substantially undeflected state in which hook portions34 are engaged with housing shoulders 68. This positive engagementbetween latching members 28 and opposing sides of housing opening 200aids in securing container 20 to housing 100.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 9, during insertion of the retentionstructure into housing opening 200, each detent member 38 establishessliding contact with a respective opposing wall 70 of housing opening200. This sliding contact causes detent members 38 to resilientlydeflect inwards, in a direction toward neck 42 and provides resistanceto insertion of detent member 38 into housing 100. As retentionstructure 26 is inserted further into housing 100 causing detent members38 to deflect further inward, projections 50 on detent members 38 enterrecesses 52. When retention structure 26 is fully inserted into opening200, detent member projections 50 reside within recesses 52. In thisposition, it may be seen that contact forces between each detent member38 and a respective housing wall 70 aid in securing container 20 tohousing 100.

[0022] Referring now to FIG. 8, when it is desired to detach container20 from housing 100, container 20 may be grasped along sides 72 by auser to pull container 20 in the direction indicated by arrow “B”.Inclined surfaces of hook portions 34 then engage complementaryshoulders 68 on opposing sides of housing opening 200, causing latchingmembers 28 (FIG. 7) to deflect inwards until latching member hookportions 34 pass housing shoulders 68, whereupon the inclined surfacesof entry portions 32 engage housing shoulders 68 in sliding contactduring withdrawal of the retention structure from housing 100.

[0023] It may be seen that, by the initial sliding engagement betweenhousing shoulders 68 and the inclined surfaces of hook portions 34, andby the subsequent sliding engagement between housing shoulders 68 andthe inclined surfaces of entry portions 32, latching members 28 act toinhibit withdrawal of the retention structure (and the containerattached thereto) from housing 100. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 9, as eachdetent member 38 engages in sliding contact with a respective housingwall 70 during withdrawal of the retention structure from the housing,engagement between detent projections 50 and recesses 52 produces agripping effect of bracket 40 on neck 42. During the initial movement ofcontainer 20 in direction “B” away from housing 100, this grippingeffect of bracket 40 on neck 42 helps maintain securement of bracket 40to container 20, thereby helping to prevent bracket 40 from separatingfrom container 20. As retention structure 26 is withdrawn further fromhousing 100, housing wall 70 engages detent member 38 closer to base end46, allowing detent member 38 to return its undeflected state andcausing projection 50 to withdraw from recess 52.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0024] The container of the present invention is releasably mounted to ahousing of a unit for dispensing a volatile liquid, such as a fragrancecompound. The container is releasably mounted to the housing using aretention structure positioned on a top portion of the container. Thus,the container can serve as a disposable or refillable reservoir for thevolatile liquid. In addition, the structure of the container serves toposition a portion of a capillary member in the path of an airflowgenerated by a fan mounted in the housing. This positioning of thecapillary member within in a forced airflow ensures rapid and efficientdissemination of a volatile liquid drawn through the capillary memberfrom the reservoir.

[0025] It should be understood that the preceding is merely a detaileddescription of various embodiments of this invention and that numerouschanges to these disclosed embodiments can be made in accordance withthe disclosure herein without departing from the spirit or scope of theinvention. The preceding description, therefore, is not meant to limitthe scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is to bedetermined only by the appended claims and their equivalents.

1. A container comprising: a body having a top portion; and a retentionstructure releasably mounted on the top portion of the container andadapted to releasably engage with a housing of a dispenser for avolatile liquid.
 2. The container of claim 1 wherein the retentionstructure includes a latching member adapted to engage a complementarylatch-receiving feature associated with the housing.
 3. The container ofclaim 2 wherein the retention structure includes a second latchingmember spaced apart from the latching member and adapted to engageanother complementary latch-receiving feature associated with thehousing.
 4. The container of claim 3 wherein the latching member and theother latching member are positioned on opposing sides of the body. 5.The container of claim 1 wherein the retention structure comprises alatch receiving structure adapted to engage a complementary latchingmember formed on the housing.
 6. The container of claim 1 wherein theretention structure includes a detent member adapted to engage a surfaceof the housing.
 7. The container of claim 6 including a projectionextending from the detent member adapted to engage a complementaryrecess in the container with engagement of the detent member with thesurface of the housing.
 8. The container of claim 7 further comprising aneck projecting from the top portion and wherein the recess is formed ina wall of the neck.
 9. The container of claim 6 wherein the detentmember is cantilevered.
 10. The container of claim 1 wherein a neckprojects from the top portion of the container and defines an openingfor receiving a capillary member therethrough, the retention structureincludes an opening for receiving the capillary member therethrough, andis mountable on the top portion of the body of the container such thatthe opening in the retention structure is in alignment with the openingdefined by the neck.
 11. A container comprising: a body having a topportion in which a neck is positioned in the top portion and defines anopening to the container; and a retention structure positioned on thetop portion, and adapted to be releasably engaged with a housing of adispenser for a volatile liquid.
 12. The container of claim 11 whereinthe retention structure includes a latching member adapted to engage acomplementary latch-receiving feature associated with the housing. 13.The container of claim 12 wherein the retention structure includesanother latching member spaced apart from the latching member andadapted to engage another complementary latch-receiving featureassociated with the housing.
 14. The container of claim 13 wherein thelatching member and the other latching member are positioned on opposingsides of the body.
 15. The container of claim 11 wherein the retentionstructure comprises a latch receiving structure adapted to engage acomplementary latching member formed on the housing.
 16. The containerof claim 111 wherein the retention structure includes a detent memberadapted to engage a surface of the housing.
 17. The container of claim16 including a projection extending from the detent member adapted toengage a complementary recess in the container with engagement of thedetent member with the surface of the housing.
 18. The container ofclaim 17 further comprising a recess formed in a wall of the neck. 19.The container of claim 16 wherein the detent member is cantilevered. 20.The container of claim 11 wherein the neck projects from the top portionof the container and the opening is adapted to receive a capillarymember therethrough, the retention structure includes an opening forreceiving the capillary member therethrough, and is mountable on the topportion of the body of the container such that the opening in theretention structure is in alignment with the opening defined by theneck.
 21. The container of claim 111 wherein the retention structure isadapted to be releasably mountable to the top portion of the body.